SHOW / EPISODE

Is Lying Always a Sin?

Season 13 | Episode 13

38m | Nov 3, 2026

Is lying always a sin, or are there moments when protecting life, loving our neighbor, and remaining faithful to God change how we think about truth-telling? We explore the Bible’s surprisingly complex treatment of deception, from Rahab hiding the spies and the Hebrew midwives deceiving Pharaoh to David’s deception, Elisha’s shrewdness, and even God instructing Samuel to frame his visit to Jesse as a sacrifice. We wrestle with the tension between telling the truth and protecting others, considering how figures like Augustine, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Corrie ten Boom have approached the question. Ultimately, we look at truth not as an abstract principle but as something grounded in the person of God himself. As we seek to become people of truth, we consider what it means to live in fidelity to the God who is truth and to develop the biblical wisdom needed to navigate difficult situations.

What We Learned

God clearly condemns lying, including the commandment against bearing false witness and repeated warnings about the lying tongue.
Several biblical figures use deception without receiving condemnation in the text, including David, Jonathan, Michal, Joseph, and Elisha.
Rahab’s deception to protect the spies is presented positively in the New Testament and connected with her faith.
The Hebrew midwives deceived Pharaoh to protect Hebrew children, and the text says God dealt well with them.
Jehu used deception to gather the prophets of Baal, and God commended him for carrying out what was right in His eyes.
Samuel was instructed by God to tell Jesse he had come to sacrifice, even though God’s larger purpose was for Samuel to anoint David as king.
Truth and deception ultimately need to be understood in relation to God himself, because Jesus identifies himself as “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Knowing God and knowing Scripture are essential for developing the discernment to navigate difficult situations involving truth, deception, and protecting others.

Resources Mentioned

Daniel Heimbach article: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/is-it-ever-right-to-lie

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy

Scripture Referenced

God condemns lying: Exodus 20:16, Proverbs 6:16-19, Revelation 21:8, John 8:44

Deception not condemned:

Michal & David: 1 Samuel 19:11-17
Jonathan & David: 1 Samuel 20
David before Abimelech: 1 Samuel 21:10-15, Psalm 34
Joseph & his brothers: Genesis 42-45
Elisha & the Arameans: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Jesus on the road to Emmaus: Luke 24:28

Deception praised:

Rahab and the spies: Joshua 2, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25
The Hebrew midwives: Exodus 1:15-22
Jehu & Ahab’s family: 2 Kings 10:30

God instructs deception:

Lying spirit commissioned: 1 Kings 22:21-23
Samuel & David: 1 Samuel 16:1-3

Truth condemned: Judas’ betrayal: Luke 22